Yeah I saw you mention that in another thread, I wonder if it was one of the less experienced guys because I only know a small group of them mainly the guys at the front of the pack who are racers/ex-racers. We're riding out to New Hope, PA from Newark which is about 112 miles RT or something to that effect. I'm considering joining the group because I don't want to keep latching on without being a part of it, my hesitation has been not being able to commit to going on all of their rides but one of the leaders said it wouldn't be a problem and he'd like me to join so I think I will.

Those are road spd's so if you want to keep using them then feel free..advantages:

Cleat will last forever.
Bullet proof
You can use mtb shoes
easier to walk in.
Disadvantages:
Heavy
Can't adjust float

I'll add an advantage for tri-geeks: mtb shoes are much easier to run in --- which is a plus if your event has a big transition area. If you do a short course with a big field, it could make a difference.

Cyclists of the world, unite! You have nothing to lube but your chains!

I'll add an advantage for tri-geeks: mtb shoes are much easier to run in --- which is a plus if your event has a big transition area. If you do a short course with a big field, it could make a difference.

I have tri shoes currently. I love them! They ventilate nicely during hot rides.

refresh me on bar tape wrapping, clockwise on the right, counterclockwise on the left --but is this from standing in front of the bike, or straddling the top-tube?

There's a simple way to remember. You want the tape wrapped so that you won't unravel it while you ride. This means that when riding in the tops, the bar tape goes over the top away from you, and under the bar towards you.

In the drops they go over the top to the outside of the bike. Just think about putting your hands on the bars and how they're likely to move as you ride. Your hands tend to move away from the bike always.

Why do I see a lot of racer guys wearing full fingered gloves in the summer?

Originally Posted by bcellis

I noticed a bunch of guys wearing them in crits this spring... still not 100% sure why either.

Just for added finger protection. I don't wear them myself (though at crits and on the track I do wear a set of Ironclad fingerless gloves which protect the hand better than your typical cycling gloves), but I understand why. In my last crash, my fingertips got a bit torn up. Nothing serious, but a PITA for a few days until they healed up. You don't see them in road races much simply because full fingered gloves are too hot.

Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter

Big fan of the 33 here [in a lurking capacity only]. Thanks for letting me post. I want to get faster to get into group rides but I'm intimidated greatly because I can't or just don't think I can hang. Need a sampling of advice that does not include HTFU.

Big fan of the 33 here [in a lurking capacity only]. Thanks for letting me post. I want to get faster to get into group rides but I'm intimidated greatly because I can't or just don't think I can hang. Need a sampling of advice that does not include HTFU.

Thanks, Mike

At the top of the 33 there is a workout recipe sticky. Look through it and you'll see some great workout that will make you stronger but entail suffering. Tabatas and ZeCannon intervals are my workouts of choice. And it's true, if you are slower than the group the only way to hang is to get stronger which means pushing harder i.e. HTFU.

-- Edit --

If you don't have a power meter you go by HR or perceived effort. TrainingPeaks.com should have good info on finding HR based zones and probably a description. FTP in general is the maximum steady state effort you can endure for 20 minutes. Do a 20 minute time trial, monitor your HR. That's your FTP. Base workouts on that number

Crashing a granfondo

There is an organized ride coming up from Vancouver to Whistler (Whistler GranFondo) on a scenic stretch of highway. They will be closing a lane and providing feed and aid stations along the way. The ride is full and cost was around $175.

What are your thoughts on doing the ride and enjoying the closed lane but not using any of the support? I have several friends who are planning to do this. I like the idea of a dedicated lane but have no interest in stopping at the feed stations.

There is an organized ride coming up from Vancouver to Whistler (Whistler GranFondo) on a scenic stretch of highway. They will be closing a lane and providing feed and aid stations along the way. The ride is full and cost was around $175.

What are your thoughts on doing the ride and enjoying the closed lane but not using any of the support? I have several friends who are planning to do this. I like the idea of a dedicated lane but have no interest in stopping at the feed stations.

There is an organized ride coming up from Vancouver to Whistler (Whistler GranFondo) on a scenic stretch of highway. They will be closing a lane and providing feed and aid stations along the way. The ride is full and cost was around $175.

What are your thoughts on doing the ride and enjoying the closed lane but not using any of the support? I have several friends who are planning to do this. I like the idea of a dedicated lane but have no interest in stopping at the feed stations.

It's poaching.

The organizer have permits for X number of riders, for which they have to pay for police, road closure, insurance, etc. If more show up the permitting organization may notice and get the organizer in trouble. Its hard enough getting people to put on rides without that hassle too. Sign up or do something else that day.

At the top of the 33 there is a workout recipe sticky. Look through it and you'll see some great workout that will make you stronger but entail suffering. Tabatas and ZeCannon intervals are my workouts of choice. And it's true, if you are slower than the group the only way to hang is to get stronger which means pushing harder i.e. HTFU.

-- Edit --

If you don't have a power meter you go by HR or perceived effort. TrainingPeaks.com should have good info on finding HR based zones and probably a description. FTP in general is the maximum steady state effort you can endure for 20 minutes. Do a 20 minute time trial, monitor your HR. That's your FTP. Base workouts on that number

Thank you for your information. I have an HRM and usually blow it out of the zone on each and every ride. I don't think I am terribly out of shape at all but my HR is huge compared to what it is "supposed to be."

Thank you for your information. I have an HRM and usually blow it out of the zone on each and every ride. I don't think I am terribly out of shape at all but my HR is huge compared to what it is "supposed to be."

Do external bearing bottom brackets work on older steel frames with english threaded bottom brackets? I'm trying to build a cheap racing bike and am looking for some kind of cheap crankset + bb on ebay.